Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Bird Dogs

Scout
5" X 7" pen and ink
2009


Tia
8" X 10" pen and ink
2009


Scout, a golden retriever, and Tia, an English cocker spaniel, are both bird dogs. They hunt duck, quail, and pheasant. I watched a demonstration by Rose, Scout's sister, last weekend, and she is impressive! She heels, sits, waits, and then fetches -- all on command. She responds to voice, hand, and whistle signals -- all with alacrity. She finds the birds (dummies, in this case), she brings them back, she releases them, and then she begs for more. It's amazing to watch a dog who is so enthusiatically committed to her work!

I should add that this working relationship is much like the one I have with my dog, Kinsey, only in reverse. Kinsey gives the commands -- voice, paw, eyebrow -- and I hop to with alacrity. I'm sure my eagerness to work on Kinsey's behalf gives her great pleasure, too.

2 comments:

Archie and Melissa said...

hi leslie!
oh these are just fabulous!

xoxoxo
melissa

Linda O'Neill said...

SWEET boo boo dogs...beautiful work, Leslie.

I loved what you said about Kinsey giving the commands. HA...that is SO my relationship with Maisie too.:)